University of Exeter Invitational promises top golf action

The 54 holes, three-day tournament has attracted a top student field – including amateur internationals – from England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales and is set to become a leading annual event on the student golfing calendar.

University of Exeter golf performance manager and tournament organiser Craig Townsend is excited by the potential of the invitational team - and individual - event.

Townsend said: “We have got the reigning European and UK university champions Stirling sending two teams down for the tournament and the Irish University champions NUI Maynooth coming over as well.

“As event hosts we are on a high having won the BUCS South Premier title for the first time in six years and University of Central Lancashire are the new North champions.

“There are 11 elite university teams taking part and I also invited a British Schools & Colleges team as well as a team from the Independent Schools Golf Association.

“It has all come together really well and I am excited by the start sheet because there are amateur internationals taking part both at senior and junior level.

“I am indebted to Nick Gammon at Trevose for his assistance in staging the tournament and now hoping that everyone enjoys playing the championship course. It can be a real tester if especially if the wind blows, so I think we are in for some top competitive golf.”

The new tournament will qualify for R&A World Amateur Golf Ranking points and start a run of big tournaments for the University of Exeter golf squad.

Two BUCS Individual qualifiers held at Royal Cinque Ports and Ganton in March will precede the R&A Bursars tournament at St. Andrews and the Student Tour Finals at Crail in April.

Spectators are welcome to attend the inaugural University of Exeter Invitational Links Trophy 2013 which tees off on Saturday at 11:00.

Round two competition starts at 10:30 on Sunday and the final round is on Monday, starting at 08:00.

For a full list of competitors please see the starting sheet.